Male genital appliance



July 15, 1969 B. P. CLARK MALE GENITAL APPLIANCE Filed May 13, 1966 I N V/iNTUR. BRUCE P CLARK AT RNEYS United States Patent 3,455,301 MALE GENITAL APPLIANCE Bruce P. Clark, 133 17 St., Oakland, Calif. 94612 Filed May 13, 1966, Ser. No. 549,964 Int. Cl. A61f 5/42 U.S. Cl. 128-79 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An appliance for the male reproductive organ is described which assists the formation and maintenance of an erection without materially reducing the surface area of said organ capable of contacting a female vagina. T device comprises a relatively short annular sleeve of rubber or other soft elastic material. The sleeve is adapted to receive and snugly engage the base of the male organ with a compressive fit. The base end of the sleeve is relatively inelastic in the circumferential direction so as to provide pressure on subcutaneous veins of said organ and restrict the flow of blood therefrom. The forward end of the sleeve has a greater circumferential elasticity than the base end so that rearwardly directed force applied to the male organ causes the same to be pressed into said sleeve and compressed radially thereby against the base end of the sleeve to further restrict outward veinal flow of blood and compensate for any tendency for such outward flow to increase due to rearwardly directed force.

The present invention generally relates to appliances which aid males in producing and sustaining an erection of the reproductive organ. More particularly, the present invention is an annular, constrictive device which is applied to the base of the penis with a compressive fit to impede the outflow of blood through the veins of the penis, without materially reducing blood flow into the corpora cavernosa.

The importance of the ability to have satisfactory sexual relations to the physical and psychological well-being of man is now well established and generally accepted. Many male individuals however, are deprived of normal sexual relations by male impotence, i.e., by the temporary or permanent inability to raise or sustain an erection of sufficient strength for penetration and copulation. The present device is designed to alleviate this major source of male impotence.

The underlying causes of impotence are manyfold, and may be psychological in nature, or physiological, such as advancing age. To the extent that such impotence may be curable, it is recognized that it may be preferable to treat the causal malady directly, however, even where possible, medical treatment frequently requires long pe riod to effect a cure. An effective device which is capable of assisting the male in his sexual function is therefore highly desirable.

Thus far a variety of devices have been developed which aim to support the male member to assist in copulation. These devices are generally elongated sleeves of moderate stiffness, which are applied around the shaft of the penis in the manner of a splint. One end of the sleeve is generally seated against the coronal ridge of the glans penis, and the other end abuts the body. The penis is thus held distended by being more or less stretched between the ends of the device. In the radial direction the device is relatively self-supporting.

It is readily apparent that such devices lack aesthetic appeal which is a serious disadvantage in view of the delicate emotional and physical aspects of the sexual act. Over and above this lack of appeal, however, there are a variety of other disadvantages attendant to the use of these appliances.

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Most notable among these is the discomfort associated with the use of these splints, especially in the areas which are in contact with the ends of the device. Particularly the coronal ridge, a very sensitive area per se, tends to become sore or chafed. Although most devices have rounded end portions, the repetitive pressure applied to the corona and body render the appliance painful to the wearer during prolonged use, and leads to premature unsatisfactory termination of coitus.

Another serious disadvantage lies therein that the tubular splint covers the entire shaft of the penis, thereby preventing the stimulation of this area. As a result of the lower level of stimulation, the normal physiological inducement to sustain the erection is reduced also. Longitudinal apertures cut into the sleeve have been found to improve the tactile properties somewhat. Nevertheless, the total area of the penis which comes in contact with the vagina is limited, since the splint must retain sufficient rigidity to support the male member.

Now, however, I have invented a device.which will assist the erection of the penis as well as support continued erection thereof, and which is not subject to the above mentioned disadvantages. The present device operates on an entirely different principle in that, rather than being merely a supporting splint, it assists the natural blood supply system in erecting the male member as it occurs in a healthy human specimen.

Notwithstanding the existence of the different underlying causes discussed supra, the immediate cause for the failure of producing an adequate erection lies in the incomplete inflation of the corpora cavernosa. The corpora cavernosa consist of spongy, cavernous tissue which are under normal circumstances, filled with blood through the arteriae profundae. The distension of the male organ is thus due to the presence of pressurized blood expanding the cavernous tissues. At the end of the cycle the blood drains at a higher rate through a set of subcutaneous veins which are located dorsally and laterally on both sides of the penis.

To a lesser extent the immediate cause may be found in a weakness of the muscles which are attached to and surround the case of the penis.

In general, my device is a short annular sleeve which is emplaced about the base of the penis in a moderately tight, compressive fit. Being of relatively short length, the sleeve leaves the major, forwardly located portions of the shaft of the penis, which are rich in nerve endings, completely exposed, allowing contact of these skin surfaces. The radial pressure exerted by the sleeve against the muscle tissues surrounding the base of the penis serves to throttle the flow of blood through the veins which drain the corpora cavernosa. The deep lying arteriae profundae, however, are left relatively uneonstricted. Accordingly, the effect of the present device is to increase the net blood inflow into the corpora cavernosa. As a result the pressure and quantity of blood in the erectile tissues is enhanced which aids in bringing about a normal and natural erection, and helps sustain it during copulation.

It is readily apparent that the present device is comparatively unobtrusive and leaves the major portion of the forwardly located surfaces of the penis exposed and capable of contacting the female directly. At the same time, the device is comfortable to wear without irritating the skin even with prolonged used.

Accordingly then, in summary, the principal object of the present invention is to provide a device which aids in bringing about an erection and sustaining the erection of the male member for purposes of copulation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device which is non-irritating and does not interfere with tactile stimulation.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some of which, with the foregoing, will be set forth in the following description of the preferred form of the invention which is illustrated in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the specification. It is to be understood, however, that variations in the showing made by the said drawings and description may be adopted within the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the device.

FIGURE 2 shows the device in longitudinal section.

FIGURE 3 is a view of the base end of the device, and

FIGURE 4 is a longitudinal section through a preferred embodiment of the present appliance.

Referring now to FIGURES l, 2 and 3, the basic device is seen to comprise annular sleeve 11, which is preferably made of rubber, although any soft, elastic material is suitable. The internal surface 13 defines an approximately cylindrical aperture 12, which closely fits the base of the penis. At the base end 14 the sleeve is generally somewhat thicker and terminates in the broadened annular surface 16, which abuts the body of the user when the appliance is emplaced about the base of the male organ. All edges are of course preferably smooth and rounded for maximum comfort.

As shown in the figures, at the forward end 17, sleeve 11 is thinner than at the base end 14. Accordingly, the forward end 17 is more flexible and has a greater circumferential elasticity than the rearward portions of the sleeve. The differential elasticity could of course be provided otherwise, e.g. by means of a less stretchable material circumferentially applied to the base end.

As mentioned supra, the sleeve is placed over the base of the penis and compresses the same to reduce the out flow of blood through the veins leading out of the erectile tissues. During use, the member is periodically exposed to increased external pressure, especially during forward thrusting, which tends to squeeze more blood through the veins, reducing the erection. This undesirable blood outflow mechanism is counteracted by the action of the flexible forward end 17. During the periods of increased pressure the forward end 17 is slightly further distended rendering aperture 12 rearwardly more tapered. The pressurized tissues are thus pushed back into the tapering aperture and are somewhat more compressed in the radial direction. This compression in turn exerts a greater lateral pressure on the veins. The outflow of blood is thus further restricted and the increased tendency to lose blood from the member during periods of exposure to higher pressure is offset. Accordingly, the present appliance functions in the manner of a valve which maintains the outflow rate of the blood independent of the external pressure on the organ and the blood vessels.

FIGURE 4 illustrates a preferred device which comprises a sleeve 11 defining a naturally, rearwardly tapered, internal aperture or bore. This feature further enhances the valve action described above. -The modification shown in FIGURE 4 may be provided with a series of spaced annular ridges, or protrusions 18, located on the internal surfaces 13. Such ridges may optionally be provided to hold the applicance more securely in place. In other aspects the preferred device is similar to the basic appliance shown in FIGURES 13.

The dimensions of the present appliance are critical, in that it is desired to provide an appliance of adequate length to lend some support to the base of the penis and to allow for the proper response to the pressure exerted on the memher, as described supra, and while leaving the forwardly located region, of the penis, where the density of the nerve endings is greater, exposed for intimate tactile stimulation. Depending on the overall size of the device, the length ranges between about and 2". The thickness of the sleeve similarly critical in that the relative thickness of the base and forward ends determine the elasticity and the shape which the appliance assumes while in use. The internal diameter at the base end in turn determines the ratio of blood inflow through the arteries and blood outflow through the veins.

It will be appreciated that the dimensions of the device depend also on the size of the organ to which it is to be applied. In general the internal diameter of the base end should be between and of the diameter of the base of the fully distended penis for comfort and effectiveness. The thickness of the sleeve at the base end is between about A" and 4;", while the thickness of the sleeve at the thin end is less than about Whereas in the foregoing, the invention was described with reference to a basic device and but one modification, it will be readily realized by those skilled in the art, that numerous other modifications and variations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is to be limited only by the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An appliance for aiding the erection of the male genital organ comprising an annular sleeve having a length between about inch and about 2 inches and being of a soft elastic material, said sleeve having a "base end and a forward end and defining between said ends an open generally cylindrical aperture adapted to receive and snugly engage the base of a penis with a compressive fit, said base end of said sleeve being relatively inelastic in its circumferential direction and said forward end having a greater circumferential elasticity than said base end whereby rearwardly directed force applied to said penis causes the same to be pressed into said forward end and compressed radially by said sleeve against said base end to restrict outward veinal flow of blood from said penis.

2. The appliance of claim 1 further defined in that the circumferential elasticity of said sleeve progressively increases from said base end to said forward end, and the aperture through said sleeve tapers inwardly from said forward end toward said base end upon said rearwardly directed force. 1

3. The appliance of claim 1 further defined in that said elastic material is rubber.

4. The appliance of claim 1 further defined in that said aperture at said base end has a diameter of about 75-85% of the diameter of the base of a fully extended penis therethrough.

5. The appliance of claim 1 further defined, in that the internal surfaces of said sleeve are provided with a multiplicity of circumferential protrusions.

6. The appliance of claim 1 further defined in that said sleeve has a greater thickness at said base end than at said forward end to provide said forward end with said greater circumferential elasticity.

7. The appliance of claim 6 further defined in that said elastic material is rubber and the thickness of said sleeve at said forward end is less than about and the thickness of said sleeve at second base end is within the range of A and A; of an inch.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,206,324 11/1916 Hart 128-79 1,608,806 11/1926 Nelson 12879 FOREIGN PATENTS 554,178 7/1932 Germany.

L. W. TRAPP, Primary Examiner 

